Banned pesticides smuggled in from Gujarat seized in Malegaon

Nashik : In a joint operation, the agriculture department and the police administration busted a smuggling racket involving banned pesticides.Acting on a tip-off, the joint team raided a public shed in Himmatnagar area of Malegaon Camp. The raid resulted in seizure of 3,150 kg of unauthorised chemicals valued at approximately Rs5.47 lakh.A case has been registered under various sections of The Insecticides Act, 1968, against 40-year-old Pravin, alias Sham Ashok Devare. Preliminary investigations revealed that the smuggling network has deep-rooted links extending into Gujarat."The agriculture department received specific information regarding a stockpile of unauthorised pesticides within a shed in the Camp area," said the agriculture officer and complainant in the case. "During the operation, it was discovered that the accused possessed no official permission or valid licence to store or trade these substances."Among the seized pesticides were phorate 10% (thimet)--1,900kg valued at Rs 3,80,000(it is highly toxic and capable of damaging groundwater); chlorpyrifos 10% (250kg valued at Rs 40,000. It linked to neurological damage in children and can cause harm to aquatic life); phorate 10% (panton) - 300 kg valued at Rs 78,000; fenvalerate 0.4% (700 kg valued at Rs 49,000. It is highly toxic to bees and fish).Agriculture officials warned that the continued use of these chemicals can lead to permanent soil infertility and severe respiratory and neurological complications for farm laborers.Authorities have urged farmers to remain vigilant and report any "too-good-to-be-true" deals on pesticides, which often indicate smuggled or counterfeit goods. To further curb the trade, officials are conducting surprise inspections of licensed pesticide shops to ensure they are not acting as conduits for illegal stock.The police have launched a wider investigation into the "backward and forward linkages" of the operation to determine exactly where these toxic substances were being distributed and to identify other key players in the interstate racket.